What should you wear when you visit New Orleans? This easy and fashionable New Orleans packing list has you covered, with tips about footwear, weather, and more below:
The New Orleans Packing List
• A few (1-3) dresses (I like this mini dress, this cutout dress, and this maxi dress!)
• 1 to 2 rompers (mine is sold out on Black Milk Clothing but here’s a similar one from Asos)
• A couple (1-2) pairs of loose pants
• 1 to 4 light blouses
• 1 to 2 pairs of ankle boots (I’m wearing this pair)
• A couple (1-2) pairs of sandals or heels
• A light coverup
• One wide brim hat for the sun
• An umbrella
• As many sunglasses as you want or need
• Enough socks and undies for the trip
These are all suggestions based on a week or less of traveling through New Orleans. Usually, If I’m in a place for longer than a week, I just mix and match and do laundry in between to save on space. In New Orleans, I mostly wore clothing that was comfortable but stylish at the same time.
Since I have this idea in my head that the South is fancy I didn’t want to go with just tank tops and shorts. But since it can also be quite warm and humid, I decided to get creative with the cut outs in my outfits. Everything I wore had at least a key hole cut out of it, from my romper and my black dress, which both had open backs, to a couple dresses that had open sides, to my lacy baby doll dress. Even walking around in these I was still sweating, but at least I had ventilation!
For the most part I wanted clothing that was breathable and stylish without being too heavy or thick because girl, New Orleans is hot! Which brings me to my next point:
Weather Considerations for Your New Orleans Packing List
New Orleans is hot and sticky. There is no point in time when that’s not true. However you’ll be constantly switching between frigid AC units and the sweltering heat of the outdoors, so outfit choices can be tricky.
I usually decided to wear something that would be more comfortable outside since that’s where I spent most of my time, between walking around the French quarter and the Bywater, to wandering around the old plantations. You can read more about my itinerary here.
A Few LBDs
Since you can almost never go wrong with a little black dress, I brought three! Everything I wore in New Orleans was either semi-casual dresses or rompers made out of nylon or cotton.
The light and flowing material helped any time there was a breeze, and I thought they perfectly straddled the line between those day-to-night situations that fashion magazines had us so sure we’d encounter constantly growing up.
Shoes
The city is best seen on foot, so you’ll most likely need comfortable shoes. It’s wise to always be ready for rain, too.
For this reason I like ankle boots, which aren’t too hot but keep my feet dry. I added sandals and heels to the list for those who prefer open-toed shoes. I literally haven’t worn heels for six years but did notice that New Orleans’ sidewalks would be easier than Europe’s cobblestone streets. So if heels are your thing, you can wear them in New Orleans!
Leave Room in Your Suitcase
Trust me when I say that if you’re into fashion, you’re going to be delighted by the quirky stores in New Orleans. There’s everything from voodoo earrings to 50s pinup style, so leave room in your suitcase! I have a listing of some of the best ones in the French quarter in my solo female travel guide to New Orleans. Happy shopping!
When it comes to traveling through New Orleans, I absolutely loved how fun the fashion could be and how many stunning backdrops there were to take photos with from the French Quarter to the Bywater. So enjoy traveling in the big easy, it has a style all its own.
GG says
Hey Kristin: Liked your dresses and outfits. So great that you are telling everyone where you got them. Great post. Only a few things to let everyone know about the South and New Orleans since I live there (not NOLA though) and hope it is helpful:
1. Yes New Orleans can be really hot and especially humid. When you went the Southeast was experiencing near record persistent warmth to make it even worse :(. September is still hot here. From American Thanksgiving (late November) to Easter (early April) the weather on average in New Orleans is actually quite comfortable, a big draw to those in the cold North. Temperatures usually are in the 60’s Fahrenheit (17-21C) in the daytime and a cool 48-55 degrees F at night (9-13C). While New Orleans is in the “Deep South” it still has temperature based seasons unlike the tropics (which might have monsoons or wet/dry seasons), although certainly milder and when it gets really cold, it doesn’t last long. If visiting during this period make sure to have a jacket or one pair of warm clothing in case you get hit with a cold plunge (and a light sweater for the night-time in all cases). Just plan ahead and if want to pack light at least on the way there, you can buy it there! In the late fall to winter months it can range from the teens at night F (-11C a record low) all the way up to the mid 80’s F (30C a record high) so expect anything, although most of the time it is so nice! It doesn’t go above 30F there during this time of year. The rest of the year is like what Kristin said.
2. Southern dress: Yes it is traditional to view the South as a place of dressing fancy, but to be honest what you wore was above average in terms of fashion and beauty, even in the “plainer” LBD’s you wore (unless you go out to a nice restaurant or party, then of course be fancy!). You could teach a traditional Southerner a thing or two! For what it is worth, in the South this time of year it is time to put on your favorite outfits with your favorite football team on it! It is religion down here (and a big deal to my friends up north too in the Midwest (plus western Pennsylvania!)) where the football stadium is the biggest building in some small towns. If you like to dress casual, the “new South” is quite casual compared to my own stomping grounds up North (northeast especially), especially on Fridays at work. Anyhow, you are a great dresser among your many talents!
GG says
I have said a lot about the South earlier. However, I yield all what I have said to the incredible breadth of knowledge of Caroline Eubanks. and her “This is My South” webpage and her other guides to the South. I recommend Kristin if you haven’t already and all of BMTM to look at her recommendations if you plan to come to this region again! There is a lot to see and explore in the Southeast US and being not a native I have a lot to learn from her and hope my past comments aren’t too off the mark. When I moved here I had stereotypes that were dashed and made me glad that I moved to a new place in the country to live and learn. Traveling is an extension of this and no better way that interacting with others to learn how much we can gain from each other, including some delicious new recipes!
kesari women special says
his is amazing! Absolutely great tips. I LOVE your photos from New Orleans – incredible!
K says
I live in New Orleans and it’s currently 80ish degrees at night in September. Can attest to cold bars, restaurants, etc but as far as being comfortable outside goes, you’re fine in shorts and tanks. Anything more will have you clinging at your clothes, wishing they’d magically fall off of you.
Brad says
You have to be careful about what you wear and when you go. Open toe shoes are a negative most of the time because there are a lot of uneven streets/pavers. Then at times the streets can be pretty dirty. Also if there is a heavy crowd, not mardi gras but out at late night, and your female you def don’t want to wear short skirts, shorts like that, unless your asking for it literally. I have been groped by guys and I am a straight male so yah… during the day sundresses are fine. You are right about the AC which is another reason to wear a little more clothing than you think but avoid black during the summer and wear lighter colors instead. Black is better Sept-April… take it from a southerner that works outdoors. I have seen 100’s if not 1,000’s of women in Downtown NOLA in high heels/strap sandals WISHING they had no with gimpy ankles, broken heals, nasty feet, etc over the years. Nothing like walking 5-10 miles in an uncomfortable pair or straps while drinking “like your shoe choice btw” Daiquiri’s > heels… and also if your day tripping NOLA it’s completely different than night, we do both so hope that helps out.